Ski structure



June 30, 1964 M. E. ANNIS SKI STRUCTURE Filed May 10, 1965 INVENTOR.

MILTON E. ANNIS United States Patent 3,139,287 SKI STRUCTURE 7 Milton E. Anuis, 334 North 1st East, Tooele, Utah Filed May 10, 1963, Ser. No. 279,552

Claims. (1. 280-42) This invention relates to ski structures, and more particularly to an improved single ski construction having positive steering and braking capabilities.

The utility and safety .of ski structures for use by amateurs in riding over snow and the like is determined to a large degree by the steering and braking mechanism provided. Inability of the rider to effectively, conveniently and safely change direction of the ski while in motionand to control its speed can be dangerous so as to limit use of the structure by more experienced riders. Prior attempts to provide vehicles of this type with effective steering and braking features have resulted in unstable structures that are diflicult to manage or in complex mechanisms that compromise portability, compactness and low cost.

An object of this invention is the provision of a single ski structure with positive steering and braking mechanism that is conveniently operated by the rider.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a ski structure that may be assembled or disassem- 3,139,287 Patented June 30, 1964 end, post 20 of seat 16. A screw 21 in the upper part of pole 15 engages post 2t and locks seat 16 in its adjusted position relative to pole 15. Handles 23 and 24 bled readily so as to occupy a minimum of storage space I when not in use and to enhance its portability.

A further object is the provision of a ski structure with adjustable seat and steering assemblies to adapt the structure to riders of different heights.

In accordance with the invention, an elongated ski respectively. By simply rocking his feet, the rider may pivot one or both plates to steer or brake the ski. The plates and seat assembly are readily removable from the ski body so that the entire device may be conveniently and compactly transported and stored.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the ski structure embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of one of the outboard pivot plates illustrating the operating position of the riders foot on it; and

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on line 3-4 of FIG- URE 1.

Referring to the drawings, a ski structure constructed according to the invention is shown in FIGURE 1 and comprises an elongated plank or body 10 having a somewhat pointed front end 10a and a rear end 1% with a central forwardly extending V-shaped recess 11. Plank 10 preferably is bowed slightly along its length so that the front end 16a rides slightly above the surface of the snow. 1

The rear portion of plank 16 supports a seat assembly 13 comprising a mounting plate 14, a seat pole 15 and a seat 16. Plate 14 is secured to the upper surface of the plank by screws 17 and has an internally threaded upwardly projecting boss 18 into which the threaded lower end 15a of seat pole 15 is screwed. Pole 15 preferably is tubular and is adapted to receive at its upper projecting from the sides of seat 16 are secured to the seat frame and are gripped by the hands of the seated rider to stabilize himself when the ski is in motion. Seat assembly 13 is disassembled by removing seat 16 from pole 15 and disengaging the pole from the boss 18 of plate 14.

The combination steering and braking mechanism comprises a pair of substantially identical elongated outboard plates 26 and 27 pivotally mounted by a rod 28 to a support block 29 at the forward portion of ski body It .The plates 26'and 27 are longitudinally concave on their bottom riding'surfaces, have rounded upwardly inclined forward edges 26a and 27a and V-shaped recesses $1 and 32 in their. rear edges 26b and 2712, respectively. Each outboard plate has a transverse pivot boss 33 with slightly oversize bore 34 through which rod 28 extends to support the plate for pivoting about the axis of the rod; Boss 33 preferably is formed integrally with the plate. The upward projection of theboss 33 also serves to locate the foot .of the rider on r the plate as shown in FIGURE 2, the instep of the shoe S fitting over the boss. In .order to further adapt the plate to accommodate the riders shoe, the thickness of each plate immediately forward of the boss 33 is greater than the portion immediately to the rear of the boss so as to provide a form of step as shown in FIGURE 3.

Rod 28 is longer than the combined widths ofbody 1t and plates 26 and 27 and has a head 35 which seats against the outer end of the boss of plate 27. The opposite end of the rod projects slightly beyond the outer end of the boss of the opposite plate 26 and suitably removable securing means, such as a cotter pin 36 as shown, in that rod end holds the rod in place.

Block 29 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse openings 38 adapted snugly to receive rod 28.. The several openings 38 permit selection of an appropriate longitudinal spacing between seat assembly 15 and the steering plates to suit the convenience and comfort of the rider. The block is secured to the upper surface of the ski body 10 by screws 39 and preferably is as wide as the ski body in order to provide maximum support for rod 28 and the rest of the steering mechanism.

Plank 1t and plates 26 and 27 preferably are made of suitably rigid, tough, lightweight material such as reinforced fibrous plastic or aluminum. Each of the plates 26 and 27 is approximately one-half as wide as the body It) and preferably is about one-quarter of the length of the latter. By way of example, a ski structure having the following average dimensions has been constructed and successfully operated:

Body 10: Inches Width 6 Length 54 Plate 26 or 27:

Width 3 Length 12 The rider of the above described ski structure has full. control of both steering and braking functions. In riding position on the moving structure, the rider is seated on seat 16 with the hands gripping handles 23 and 24, the feet spread and on the respective plates 26 and 27, knees bent and the shin portions of the legs vertical or nearly so. The plates 26 and 27, therefore, provide some forward support for the rider and stabilize his control of the vehicle. Steering and braking is accomplished by backwardly pivoting one or both of plates 26 and 27 as suggested in broken lines in FIGURE 2.

With both plates substantially parallel to body 10, the

ski structure is free running and moves generally in the direction of its length. In order to turn to the right, for example, the rider pivots the right hand plate 27 backward so that its rear edge 27b is pressed into the snow surface and develops a drag force which steers the structure to the right. rearwardly pivots the left hand plate 26 while maintain ing the other plate 27 parallel to the ski body. Braking is accomplished by simultaneously pivoting the rear of both plates downwardly and to the same degree. The V-shapedrecesses 31 and 32 in the rear edges of plates 26 and 27, respectively, facilitate the steering and braking action by enabling the rear parts of-the plates to better depress into the snow and thereby develop more eifective drag forces.

The bosses 33 and the step-shape of the plates positively locate the feet of the rider thereon and the heels of the shoes against the bosses prevents the feet from slipping forward even when the plates are covered with snow. Thus the rider is comfortably and safely accommodated, is correctly positioned to conveniently and efficiently steer and brake the device, and yet is free to immediately jump clear of the structure should the circumstances require it.

Changes, modifications and improvements to the above described embodiment of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore the appended claims define the scope of the invention.

' What is claimed is:

1. A ski structure comprising an elongated plank,

a seat assembly removably connected to the rear portion of said plank, and

a steering and braking mechanism comprising a block secured to said plank forwardly of said seat assembly having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse openings,

a pair of substantially identical plates disposed on opposite sides of said plank adjacent to said block, each plate having a transverse opening therein, and

a pivot rod extending through the openings in said plates and through one of the openings in said block To steer to the left, the rider 4 whereby said plates are supported for pivoting relative to said plank about the axis of said rod.

2. A ski structure according to claim 1 in which said rod and said seat assembly are removably connected to said plank.

3. A ski structure according to claim 1 in which each of said plates has an upwardly projecting transverse boss intermediate the ends thereof, said plate opening being formed in said boss.

4. A ski structure comprising an elongated longitudinally concave plank,

a seat assembly supported on and projecting upwardly from the rear portion of said plank, and

steering and braking means at the forward portion of the plank comprising 7 a pair of plates on opposite sides. of the plank,

and means for pivotally supporting said plates for independent rotation about an axis extending transversely of the plank including longitudinally extending support means on said plank, and means for pivotally connecting said plates to said support means at selected longitudinally spaced positions.

5. A ski structure comprising an elongated body a seat assembly supported on the rear portion of said body, and v a steering and braking mechanism comprising at least two plates pivotally supported on said body forwardly of and at selectively variable longitudinal spacings from the seat assembly, each of said plates being independently pivotally movable relative to said body and to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

4. A SKI STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED LONGITUDINALLY CONCAVE PLANK, A SEAT ASSEMBLY SUPPORTED ON AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE REAR PORTION OF SAID PLANK, AND STEERING AND BRAKING MEANS AT THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE PLANK COMPRISING A PAIR OF PLATES ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE PLANK, AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID PLATES FOR INDEPENDENT ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE PLANK INCLUDING LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SUPPORT MEANS ON SAID PLANK, AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID PLATES TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS AT SELECTED LONGITUDINALLY SPACED POSITIONS. 